Ben TC Brooks
A Liberian Journalist, Alex Yormie, who works for Radio Lar-wehyi in Tapita, Nimba County, has reportedly been abducted and forcibly detained against his will by Lower Nimba County’s General Cultural Coordinator identified as Melvin Gbeilah Duo, Rural Reporters Network (RRNN) has reliably learned.
Multiple sources divulged to RRNN that some members of the Poro society acting upon the orders of Duo, allegedly kidnapped Journalist Yormie during the early evening hours of yesterday, for supposedly breaching sacred traditional customs and practices by airing what they termed as sensitive information from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Our sources disclosed that the journalist was allegedly subjected to physical violence before being transported to an unknown location, believed to be a Poro bush.
Cultural Coordinator Duo claims members of the Poro society were detaining Yormie, so that the journalist faces consequences as tradition depicts.
Pauline Grugbye, believed to be the abducted journalist’s wife, is appealing to local authorities in Tappita City, Nimba County to intervene and secure her husband’s urgent release and safe return to his family.
Tappita City Mayor M. Karlewoe Dahn has condemned the incident, noting that the Ministry of Internal Affairs has mandated a suspension of all traditional activities.
Mayor Dahn is urging the Nimba County Administration to act quickly and effectively to address the situation aimed at upholding the rule of law.
The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) says it is actively monitoring the situation and has called on the Ministries of Internal Affairs and Information to restrain Poro authorities from intimidating and harassing journalists.
